The incidents of Coronavirus disease multiply day by day. However the panic might as well be more dangerous than the actual virus itself. The most vital tools needed to help us defend against any such outbreak are knowledge and composure.
In dealing with such a situation the most important aim would be to strengthen our immune system. It is the strength of the immune system and the overall level of health that will determine whether an encounter with the virus might turn out to be a light flu experience or a dangerous illness.
I am giving you 11 natural means, which are safe and effective in strengthening you against Covid-19, whether this means helping you minimize chances to get it or, most importantly, to enhance your immune system so, even if you contract the virus, you will be able to go through the symptoms as mildly as possible. These measures apply to the more vulnerable people as well as the healthy ones
1. Wash your hands thoroughly and more often.
A plain soap will do, and you can enhance protection using alcoholic solution as well. Always remember to avoid placing your fingers in mouth, ears, nose, eyes which are the main ways for microbes to enter the body. These simple measures are quite effective in avoiding contracting or spreading the virus.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of natural salt and 8 drops of Propolis in a glass of water. Stir and gargle with this water 2-3 times per day, especially when you return home from outside. This simple tactic can help block viruses from reaching your lower respiration system.
3. Avoid eating sugar, sweets soda-pop drinks.
It is scientifically proven that after consuming 2
teaspoons of sugar your immune system can lose its strength for up to 40% and
up to 3 hours after consumption.
This scientific fact can explain why
people can get the flu during Christmas time.
Most people blame the cold weather, but in fact during those days we
have
- Big increase in consumption of sugary snacks and sweets, and
- Lack of sufficient sun exposure – sun is less during winter days. (please check below, no 4 and number 10 measures – Sun, Vitamin D3)
4. Expose your skin to the sun every day, for at least 40-60 minutes
It’s the best way for your body to get enough Vitamin D3, which is proven to have strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and is also important for the prevention of dozens of diseases, especially the common cold, the flu, and various other infections
5. Don’t forget to properly ventilate your home. Avoid closed places and overcrowded places – like metros, buses, hospitals, malls, – especially at periods where the outbreak seems to be at its peak.
Closed windows, and being in overcrowded places favor the spreading of the viral diseases as viruses have a very difficult time to survive in air, oxygen usually kills them quickly, but sometimes not quickly enough if we are very close to a carrier.
6. Use a handkerchief when you use public toilets.
The doorhandles, the water tank, and all the other parts of a public toilet can be full of thousands of microbes and bacteria. Just hold a handkerchief – or a disinfecting wipe – when you open and close the door and flush the toilet, and also use paper if you have to sit on the toilet. Always wash your hands afterwards. These measures are usually enough to protect you from the microbes
7. Follow a diet based on natural plant based foods.
Increase healthy whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables and vegetable juices and decrease or avoid animal products and processed foods.
There is a vast amount of scientific studies showing that people who eat a predominantly unprocessed, plant based diet they have 50% less chances of having a cardiovascular disease *(28), less than half cancers *(29) and an overall stronger immune system *(30) compared to those eating meat.
Of course these facts work better when the diet is based on NATURAL WHOLE foods, without sugary snacks, sodas, and large quantities of vegetable oils. Coffee and tea should also be kept to infrequent or low use. Inclusion of Vegetables and beans seem to be especially important as they contain higher amounts of protein. Protein is broken up to amino acids inside our alimentary canal. These amino acids are the building blocks for the manufacturing of antibodies, T-cells, macrophage cells, white cells and many more immune system cells that fight bacteria, and protect us from infections whether bacterial or viral.
8. Always remember to breathe through your nose
The organ designed for breathing is our nose. It filters, moisturizes, cleanses and warms the air we breathe. Also the nose regulates proper flow and proper volume of the air to the lungs. All these properties of nose breathing protect our lower respiratory system from many infections and breathing problems.
Also, during nose breathing there is production of nitric oxide, a gas that helps the good health of the lungs and the health of the nervous and the immune systems. Breathing through your nose prevents irritating factors to cause problems in the lungs and decreases the chances of lung infections* (22)
Even when you feel your nose blocked there are some simple exercises that can help you unblock it so you can breathe through your nose. Here is one:
- Sit comfortably on a chair, back straight resting on the back of the chair. Relax..
- Take a small breath in (inhale) through your nose – or even from mouth if you cannot otherwise – and close the lips
- Breathe out (exhale) through your nose. No need to push the air out with tension, just a simple exhalation
- AFTER you have breathed out close your nose with your thumb and index finger. Then ‘blow’ your nose (keeping nose closed) like when we try to unblock our ears when we are in high altitude. Don’t blow too hard or abruptly. Just calmly and continuously for 5-6 seconds. Feel the air ‘pumping’ your nose and your sinuses
- Let go off your nose and try to breathe through it for 3-5 breaths
- Repeat again and again, with intervals in between. You will see that the nose starts unblocking
Note: According to the scientific literature, and my experience also, frequent consumption of dairy products – especially cow’s milk – is shown to increase mucus in the lungs and nose. Many people find out that their breathing becomes freer when they decrease or discontinue dairy, and they can breathe through their nose easier
9. Support your immune system with vitamin D3.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that the active form of vitamin D – 1,25(OH)2D essentially acts like a hormone and can offer significant benefits to human organism, including preventing infections * (5). Vitamin D acts by regulating the immune system inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and increasing the effectiveness of macrophage cells, which are very important for our immune system strength and resilience
Most importantly vitamin D greatly increases effectiveness of powerful anti-viral peptides called cathelicidins and are found in neutrophils and T-cells, macrophage cells and epithelial cells of the respiratory system. All these play a big part in protecting the lungs from infection *(6)
Vitamin D3 increase the innate production of antimicrobial substances from epithelial tissues and decreases inflammatory processes in our body, like the ones taking place during an infection. *(7)
Recommended daily allowance (R.D.A) of vitamin D3 is 400-600 international units (IU) per day. However it is scientifically proven that it can cause no side effects and it has no toxicity even in doses 10 or even 20 times more than the R.D.A.* (9, 14, 15, 16, 17)
The doses I suggest can be used for 2-5 months, especially during the peak of an infection outbreak. If you have serious illnesses and take medication always consult your doctor.
VITAMIN D 3
ADULTS
1000 IU – 10.000 IU daily, taken in 2-3 doses, along with your regular meals
CHILDREN – 5-15 y.o.: 400 – 2000 IU, daily, taken in 1-3 doses, along with regular meals (please consult your pediatrician)
10. Support your organism with vitamin C
Vitamin C is involved in more than 300 known enzymatic functions in our body. Multiple studies show its positive role as a detoxifier, antioxidant and immune regulator.
In one scientific study * (20), vitamin C – alongside with some other nutrients – was shown to inhibit function of A/H5N1 virus, responsible for ‘bird flu’
Dr Τhomas Levy, considered and expert on vitamin C* (11), says: « Vitamin C exerts anti-viral activity to every flu virus I know of, as long as there is enough vitamin C in the organism during the infection. I know that drugs have side effects but Vitamin C seems to be completely devoid of side effects»
The doses I suggest can be used for 2-6 months, especially during the peak of an infection outbreak. If you have serious illnesses and take medication always consult your doctor
VITAMIN C
ADULTS
1000 – 8000 mg daily, spread in 2-8 doses – e.g. 1 gr every-2-3 hours during symptoms of an acute infection OR 1 gr twice a day for prevention
CHILDREN 5-16 y.o: 500 – 2000 mg daily (please consult your pediatrician)
NOTE ! If you are taking more than 3 gr. of vitamin C / day you need to discontinue gradually, by decreasing 500mg every 3-4 days, until you reach 500mg or stop.
11. INDIVUDUALIZED HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Proper and successful Homeopathic treatment is always individualized. This treatment has the ability to enhance your immunity and can help you defend against viruses and infections in the best possible way. Even if you get sick, the right homeopathic remedy can help your organism get by the infection in a way that will leave your organism stronger than before. The ministry of Health in India – a country with more than 1 bilion 300 milion people – issued a statement proposing Homeopathy for Coronavirus prevention *(3).
All the above suggestions are referring to natural means that can help you strengthen your organism against infections – whether from Corona viruses or other.
They are not medical prescriptions and they cannot and must not substitute medication and proper medical evaluation and treatment. If you have symptoms always consult your GP
Marios Protopapas
Naturopath – Homeopath
mdiatrofi@yahoo.gr
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
- 15.3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1600895
5. Yamshchikov AV, Desai NS, Blumberg HM, Ziegler TR, Tangpricha V. Vitamin D for Treatment and Prevention 11.of Infectious Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Endocr Pract. 2009 Jun 2:1-29. [Epub ahead of print] [Medline]
6. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemic 12. influenza and vitamin D Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7. [Medline]
7. Schauber J, Dorschner RA, Coda AB, Büchau AS, Liu PT, Kiken D, Helfrich YR, Kang S, Elalieh HZ, Steinmeyer A, 13. Zügel U, Bikle DD, Modlin RL, Gallo RL: Injury Enhances TLR2 Function and Antimicrobial Peptide Expression Through a Vitamin D Dependent Mechanism.J Clin Invest 2007, 117:803-811. [Medline
8. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, et al. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1586-1591.
9. Holick MF. High prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and implications for health. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81:353-373.
10. Holick MF. Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:1678S-1688S.
11. Thomas Levy : ‘Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases and Toxins: Curing the Incurable’
Holick MF. McCollum Award Lecture, 1994: vitamin D – new horizons for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:619-630.
14. Yanoff LB, Parikh SJ, Spitalnik A, et al. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in obese Black Americans. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2006;64:523-529.
15. Vieth R, Kimball S, Hu A, Walfish PG. Randomized comparison of the effects of the vitamin D3 adequate intake versus 100 mcg (4000 IU) per day on biochemical responses and the wellbeing of patients. Nutr J 2004;3:8.
16. Heaney RP, Davies KM, Chen TC, et al. Human serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:204-210
Holick MF. McCollum Award Lecture, 1994: vitamin D – new horizons for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:619-630.
17. Vieth R, Kimball S, Hu A, Walfish PG. Randomized comparison of the effects of the vitamin D3 adequate intake versus 100 mcg (4000 IU) per day on biochemical responses and the wellbeing of patients. Nutr J 2004;3:8.
18. Heaney RP, Davies KM, Chen TC, et al. Human serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:204-210
19. Elizabeth Somer, “Eating Meat: A Little Doesn’t Hurt,” WebMD, 1999.
20. Dr. Rath Research Institute, Santa Clara, CA, USA. Suppression of influenza A virus nuclear antigen production and neuraminidase activity by a nutrient mixture containing ascorbic acid, green tea extract and amino acids
21. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine with Amy Lanou, Healthy Eating for Life for Children, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2002, p. 49.
22. Linda Shampan, Breath Well, five steps to healthier breathing, p.12-13.
23. Protopapas Marios – ‘ You can defend yourself against the Flu’, APPLEPRINT, 2011
28. Elizabeth Somer, “Eating Meat: A Little Doesn’t Hurt,” WebMD, 1999.
29. Neal Barnard, M.D., The Power of Your Plate, Book Publishing Co.: Summertown, Tenn., 1990, p. 26.
30. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine with Amy Lanou, Healthy Eating for Life for Children, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2002, p. 49.